Two large fires on the Western Slope, west of Meeker, Colorado, are burning nearly 60,000 acres and are creating unsafe air quality in Longmont and neighboring counties. BoulderCAST, a team of meteorologists who forecast Boulder and Denver weather, said on August 6 that the air quality indices were 150+ in Longmont, which is considered unsafe for everyone.
Weld County issued an Air Quality Health Advisory on August 6 that will continue throughout the day on August 7. The advisory states that communities throughout the Front Range may experience periods of moderate to heavy smoke. People are encouraged to limit outdoor activity, especially those with heart disease, those with respiratory illnesses, very young children, and older adults. The advisory says the air is unhealthy when smoke reduces visibility to fewer than five miles.
People are encouraged to keep windows and vents closed when in a vehicle. Instead, set the fans to recirculate mode. A portable air cleaner can be used to filter out smoke particles in the home…